Travel Series: Traveling on Warfarin

If you take warfarin (or brand of warfarin such as Coumadin®), it is important to remember some important safety tips while traveling. Before you leave on your trip make sure you tell your doctor that you will be traveling. Let them know when you are leaving and how long you will be gone. It is also important to let them know what kind of activities you will be participating in while out of town. Keep a copy of your doctor’s phone number in your wallet or purse should you need to contact them on vacation. Call your doctor immediately if you fall and have a serious injury or hit your head while traveling.

If traveling by air, make sure you put your warfarin in your carryon bag, not in your checked baggage. It is important to keep all of your home testing supplies with you in your carryon as well. This includes your meter, lancets, lancet pen and strips. They are all safe to go through airport security. Make sure you pack sufficient supplies and medications to cover the entire duration of your trip.

Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet stating that you are on warfarin. Keep a written record of:

Why you are taking warfarin

Your target INR range

Your current warfarin dosage

It is also important to make sure you avoid sitting for long periods of time. Make sure you take breaks every 1-2 hours to get up and walk around and stretch your legs. Don’t wear tight shoes and drink plenty of water.

For more information about traveling while taking warfarin, look for more articles in our PTINR.com®Travel Series.

COUMADIN® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. Alere is not affiliated or associated with Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company or the COUMADIN® trademark.